Cowboys Cry Too - A Tyler Owens Story

Chapter 4:

Oklahoma
Present Day

Jackie is vaguely aware of the tension and rivalry between storm chasers. Afterall, bragging rights are a thing and well, who brags more than her ex-boyfriend Tyler Owens? The answer: no one.

Tyler Owens is the person that made storm chasing have a legacy and mean something. He is the person who started live streams with storms. He is the man who intercepts. He, truly, is the wrangle of tornadoes.

But a rivalry, it makes Jackie see a completely different side to Tyler.

He honks to make his presence known at the gas station. After all, the 'Tornado Wrangler' just showed up. He's putting on a show, fucking fantastic. Time to act all 'civil'.

"Hey Storm Par, we're live on Youtube! Say something." Boone says. "Smile man, science is fun right!"

Jackie has to hold in a scoff. Don't get her wrong, she loves Boone and the crew, they are old friends. But damn, it's interesting to see how much they have all changed. Even Boone is more in the limelight.

Tyler parks the truck, smiling widely towards all of the cameras the moment he can, grabbing his cowboy hat and placing it neatly back on his head. Tyler and that fucking hat. Why is she here again? Oh right, to try and prove she isn't controlling.

He steps out of the vehicle and Jackie swears she has never seen him this happy before. Even when they were dating, he never showed a smile as wide as the one he has now. It makes the hurt that much worse. She's seeing first hand why he chose this over her. He fucking love this. This is his passion. This is his destiny. And her, well she was merely a girl to help lead him to his path.

"And if you feel it!" Tyler shouts, licking his lips.

"Chase it!" The crowd response.

"I said if you feel it!"

"Chase it!"

She shakes her head, moving to open the back door of the truck and get out of the hot vehicle, but the crowd surrounds it, leaving her trapped. She sighs, her eyes desperately wanting to lock onto Tyler's so he can see her struggle. Let the show fucking begin.

"It's a beautiful day!" Tyler says into the camera before turning and looking towards the sky. Clouds are rolling in. It's tornado season, indeed. 

He looks back towards her, smiling widely with the charming grin and helps move the crowd out of his way, opening the door for her, even offering his hand. What a show they are putting on.

"Regretting it yet?" He whispers into her hair, tipping his hat towards a woman in the distance.

Jackie can't help but clench her saw and roll her eyes, a sense of jealousy washing over. Oh yeah, she fucking loves this. Being near her ex, acting all fine and happy, and seeing him willingly flirt with a woman. What a great day.

"I've regretted it since I laid eyes on you at the airport." Jackie whispers back, playing the part and smiling for the crowd to see, acting like their quiet conversation is civil and sweet.

"Yeah, I'll change your mind." He says, grabbing a sharpie and signing a shirt before passing it to someone in the crowd.

She laughs. A full belly laugh even. Because damn, is that fucking hilarious. He may be charming. He may be handsome. He may have pretty eyes and a sexy body. But he is still the stupid, annoying, ignorant, selfish cowboy that hurt her.